Red-light therapy is all the rage — does it work?
Nature Podcast
podcast@nature.com
4.5 • 893 Ratings
🗓️ 13 May 2026
⏱️ 22 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode:
00:42 Is red-light therapy all hype?
Disclaimer: The opinions and assertions expressed herein by Juanita Anders are those of the speaker and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of War.
Nature: The surprising science behind red-light therapy — and how it really works
10:52 Research Highlights
Nature: Trafficked pangolins can be traced to their source by DNA — even to a specific forest
Nature: A wispy wrapper for a chilly, Pluto-like world
13:11 The complex story of global obesity rates
Research article: NCD Risk Factor Collaboration
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Nature. |
| 0:04.3 | In a experiment, I don't know yet. |
| 0:06.1 | Why is it so far? |
| 0:08.0 | Like, it sounds so simple. |
| 0:09.3 | They had no idea. |
| 0:10.8 | But now the data's... |
| 0:12.0 | I find this not only refreshing, but at some level astounding. |
| 0:20.0 | Nature. Nature. Nature. |
| 0:25.4 | Welcome back to the nature podcast. |
| 0:29.2 | This week, how effective is red light therapy? |
| 0:31.7 | And is obesity plateauing? |
| 0:33.1 | It depends where you look. |
| 0:34.5 | I'm Nick Petri Chow. |
| 0:35.7 | And I'm Benjamin Thompson. |
| 0:50.0 | First up on the show, reporter Maron Huntsberger has been finding out about the science, |
| 0:54.0 | or in some cases lack of it, behind a popular therapy. |
| 0:57.5 | Have you seen these new red light masks? |
| 1:01.2 | They're these slightly robotic-looking, full-face masks, |
| 1:02.7 | with holes for your nose and mouth, |
| 1:05.2 | and they shine red light onto your skin. |
| 1:07.8 | If you believe the claims on social media, |
| 1:09.2 | they'll help you get rid of wrinkles, |
... |
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